"These seven teams represent the breadth of design practice today," the curators said in a statement, "from social to speculative; technical to theoretical. They are united by researched-based methodologies and the drive to use that research to push boundaries — formal, disciplinary, and political."

More participants, whose body of existing projects will be placed in dialogue with the contributions of the seven teams listed above, are expected to be announced at a later date.

Also announced was the appointment of architect Iker Gil as associate curator. Gil is Director of MAS Studio, founder of the design journal MAS Context, and faculty member at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago — one of the two institutions appointed by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs as co-commissioners of the 2018 U.S. Pavilion, alongside the University of Chicago.

I mean, it's not a problem I have with the Biennale theme or the curatorial team or anything - I'm super excited about this year!
But in any situation, from here to eternity, when DSR is mentioned I intend to raise the #folkMoMA issue. I'm like the Shame Nun.